In Tribute ToMark & Whendy

Whendy Carole Duncan Minnick, Mark's big sister, 20
years Mark's senior, with two children of her own, left
this earth for God's Heavenly Kingdom on January 2, 1990
after a valiant fight of four and one-half years against degenerative heart
disease. Her illness began with a virus,
which affected her heart, pancreas, and liver.
After numerous procedures and medication combinations, most
which gave promise followed by multiple side effects and disappointments,
Whendy was placed on a list for a heart transplant, with all other
options exhausted.

She underwent the surgery in late December, 1989, when she
received news that a heart was available to her. At first, she
responded well and hope was soaring; however, soon after her
surgery, she developed complications and lost her battle, lost to all on Earth who
loved her, a large family, extended family, numerous friends, her parents,
Herb Duncan and Tommie Wiltsey,
step-mother, Sara Duncan, and step-father, John Wiltsey,Scott Minnick,
two wonderful sisters, Judy and Rene, who stood by her and saw her through so
much strife throughout her long illness like faithful soldiers, her little brother,
Mark, neices, Kassalin & Amber, nephews, Adrian & Jimmy, and most importantly, her two
precious children, John Riley and Savannah Noel.

Mark identified with Whendy, loved her and her free spirit.

Little did anyone know at the time, that only seven and a half years later, she would be
waiting at Heaven's gate to welcome her little brother when he was also called home
to God's Kingdom following his tragic auto accident.

They are now forever together, forever young, and forever carefree,
guardian angels for all left behind until all are rejoined once again.

"Whendy"
written by her sister, Judy

Her name speaks for her character and her attitudes for life. Like the wind,
she was ever elusive and ever changing. Music was truly a carol of love for
her. To each of us whose lives were touched by her, Whendy would want us to
remember her in song and in the happiness the people and places of Lake
Austin brought to her life.

Rest well, Mark & Whendy, until we meet again. We love & miss you so.

Those we love remain with us,
for love lives on,
And cherished memories never fade
because a loved one's gone. . .
Those we love can never be
more than a thought apart,
For as long as there is memory,
they'll live on in the heart.

"When it is all said and done, what I CAN or even what I CAN'T tell you of the whys and hows, seems so unimportant. WE
have, as you all have, learned to "Endure" the present torment, no matter the cause or reason. We have been left with only
memories...beautiful, but stinging memories that no one can or will ever take away."

A thought provoking excerpt from Love and Light, "After I've Lost My Child"...

"A wife who loses a Husband is called a widow. A Husband who loses a wife is called a widower. A child who loses a parent is called a orphan. But, in Yiddish, they say. 'There is NO word for a Parent who has lost a child...That is how awful the loss is."

The top image of Mark & Whendy was created utilizing an altered
portion of one of the magnificent spiritual works of art of
Danny Hahlbohm, entitled, "Eye Hath Not Seen", to create
the lovely background image of Heaven's doorway, with
Danny's gracious permission. Thank you Danny.